Title:
Health impacts of floods in Iran: A literature review
Authors:
Ezati, Golnaz
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2022
PAGE:
xiv, 61
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Health effects, Natural disasters, Floods, Sociodemographic vulnerabilities
Abstract:
Background: Floods are the most frequent natural disaster worldwide and their impacts are multifold. Iran is prone to disasters with the majority caused by floods. This thesis examines the effects of floods on human health in Iran, while considering the influence of various sociodemographic factors on increasing the severity of health effects of floods. It then offers recommendations based on information already available about national policies, to assist disaster risk reduction plans and health policy makers in developing the effectiveness of their implementations. Methods: A literature review was performed. Findings are ordered based on a combined conceptual framework demonstrating the causal pathway of floods and as a result, the direct and indirect effects of floods on health by considering vulnerable characteristics which influence on severity of health complications. Results and discussion: Floods are caused by both natural and human influenced factors, such as heavy rainfall and unplanned urbanization. The findings of this thesis show that there are different short term and long-term health impacts, including drowning, injuries, communicable diseases, mental health problems and reproductive health problems, that happen directly after floods or through secondary hazards. Sociodemographic vulnerabilities, such as age, gender, education, location, source of income, lack of awareness and consequently risky behaviors, have an impact on the severity of health complications after floods. Different national policies and health system measures are in place and international cooperation has been done to support disaster risk reduction in Iran, but still the severity of the problem has not reduced because of little consideration to preventive and mitigation strategies. Recommendations are made based on existing evidence to help policymakers to enhance existing national policies. One of the key recommendations deriving from this study is raising public awareness about the flood related health risks to reduce the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors during flood occurrence. Conclusion: Different risk factors impact the severity of the health problems that floods can bring on and the health effects of floods are various. The majority of risk reduction strategies in Iran concentrate on the reaction and recovery stages and much less on prevention and mitigation in society as well as for the health system.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
Iran
Region:
West Asia
Training:
Master of Science in International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2022 Ezati
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
zazrBzhVyn_2023110513015461.pdf